Najaf gypsum factories without fuel oil for four months

NAJAF, Iraq — Gypsum factories in Najaf have not received their allocated fuel oil shipments since May, a representative for the plants said on Wednesday, warning that the disruption is forcing operations to shut down. Haydar Maji, who represents the factories, said each plant was historically allocated 80,000 liters of fuel oil per month, a figure later reduced to around 60,000 liters around 2010. He added that the current allocation is enough to run a single factory for little more than ten days, while daily output stands at roughly 60 tons of gypsum per plant. Each facility directly employs two workers in addition to transport and loader drivers, Maji said, noting that the sector provides jobs for truckers and construction laborers in central and southern cities. Maji said the supply halt stems from a decision by the Supply Committee and the General Company for Distribution of Oil Products in Baghdad's Dora district. Although factories prepay the monthly allocation, no fuel oil has been delivered since May, he added. A source at the Najaf governorate said fuel oil diverted to power plants during the summer, partly driven by interruptions in Iranian gas supplies, has contributed to the shortage. The source noted that the Najaf refinery produces about 2,800 cubic meters per day, of which 2,600 cubic meters are being directed daily to power stations.